Feeding device for an apple paring and coring machine



March 20, 1962 M. T. ROBERTS 3,025,976

FEEDING DEVICE FOR AN APPLE PARING AND CORING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1961 Y WWI/M INVENTOR. MflVl/V 7.' 2055275,

March 20, 1962 M. T. ROBERTS 3,

FEEDING DEVICE FOR AN APPLE PARING AND CORING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MflV/N 7. 8055.275;

ATTOEA/E Y-S March 20, 1962 M. T. ROBERTS FEEDING DEVICE FOR AN APPLE PARING AND CORING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 20, 1962 M. T. ROBERTS 3,025,976

FEEDING DEVICE FOR AN APPLE PARING AND EORING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. nmzz/m/ 7.- 205;?75;

United States Patent Ofitice 3,025,976 Patented Mar. 20, 1962 3,tt25,976 FEEDING DEVICE FOR AN APILE PARING AND UIRING MACHINE Marvin T. Roberts, 5436 Thomas Road, Sebastopol, Calif. Filed IViar. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 98,228 6 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) This invention relates to material handling devices, and more particularly to a device for feeding apples to an apple paring and coring machine.

The main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device for feeding an apple to an apple paring and coring machine which is relatively simple in construction, which eliminates the necessity of manually placing the apple into the receiving cup of the machine so that the apple will be in a position for impalement, and providing a great saving in time and labor in transferring apples to a paring and coring machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved feeding device for transferring apples from a conveying flume to the positioning cup of a standard apple paring and coring machine, the device involving relatively inexpensive components, being reliable in operation, and eliminating the necessity of employing an attendant to transfer apples manually from the conveying flume to the paring and coring machine.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing an improved feeding device according to the present invention employed as an attachment for a conventional apple paring and coring machine, and showing the device in an intermediate stage of the process of transferring an apple from a conveying flume to the paring and coring machine.

FIGURE 2 is another perspective view, taken from a diiferent angle, of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 and showing the apparatus in a different stage of its operation.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view, taken from above and looking downwardly, of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing one of the apple transfer cup assemblies employed in the apparatus of FIGURES 1 to 5.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic transverse vertical cross sectional view taken transverse to the cam shaft of the apparatus of FIGURES 1 to 5 and showing the relationship between the respective cams for actuating the dipper member and the flotation tank member of the apparatus, and illustrating these members substantially at the same level and being elevated immediately prior to the transfer of an apple from the dipper member to the flotation tank member.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view similar to FIGURE 7 and showing the relative positions of the parts at the point where an apple is being transferred from the dipper member to the flotation tank member.

Conventional apple coring and paring machines in current use are provided with a depending fork on which an apple is impaled so that the apple may be rotated against a paring blade or similar member. The machines of this nature generally employ a positioning cup, shown at 10 in the drawings, for supporting an apple for impalement on the fork, the machine being provided with means for shifting the cup into a position in vertical alignment with the fork and for further shifting the cup upwardly under the fork until the apple is impaled thereon. It is necessary that the apple be placed in the cup and be properly positioned therein so that when impaled upon the fork, the fork enters the apple substantially along an axis extending from the stem end of the apple to the blow end thereof in order that the apple be properly cored after being peeled. Heretofore, the apples have been manually positioned in the cup 16 requiring an operator specifically for this purpose, and the positioning of the apples in the cup in the required manner for proper processing of the apples has been a very tedious and laborious operation. A main purpose of the present invention is to provide a feeding device for an apple paring and coring machine of the type which employs a cup for positioning an apple on a fork, the device accomplishing the necessary positioning of the apple in the cup 10 in an automatic and mechanical manner and eliminating the necessity of furnishing a special operator to feed the apples by hand into the cup 10 of the machine. As Will be further apparent, the present invention also contemplates the automatic transfer of apples from a conveying flume to the positioning cup 1 1 of the apple paring and coring machines in a systematic and accurately timed manner so that there Will be a minimum of interruptions in the operation of the machines. Thus, in a plant using a number of apple paring and coring machines of the aforementioned conventional type, the use of the automatic apple transferring attachment of the present invention on each of the machines will make it possible to eliminate the necessity for employing special persons with each machine to transfer the apples thereto, as has been heretofore required, and will also provide steady processing of the apples and improved production, because the machines may operate Without depending upon the supply of apples thereto by human operators.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates a conventional apple paring and coring machine which comprises a suitable frame 13 in which is rotatably supported a depending overhead impaling fork 12 (FIGURE 3). Designated at 14 is a flume, constituting an open top enclosure adapted to contain a plurality of apples to be processed, conveyed to the machine 11 by being floated thereto ina body of water contained in the flume. Thus, the flume 14 is provided with a lateral extension 15 adjacent each of the apple paring and coring machines in the plant for the purpose of conveying apples to the machines. Suitable deflection means, FIGURE 3, is provided on the flume 14 opposite each of the feeding extensions 15 thereof for diverting apples into the extensions. For example, such diverting means may comprise a suitable nozzle providing a jet of water directed diagonally across the flume 14 toward each lateral extension 15, so that apples floating on the surface of the water in the flume are diverted laterally across the flume into the extensions. Such jet means is illustrated in dotted view at in FIGURE 3.

Designated at 16 is a cam shaft which is journaled on the frame 13 parallel to the flume 14 and which is drivingly coupled to an existing driven shaft 17 of the apple paring and coring machine 11, as by a gear train shown at 18, 19 and 20. Thus, a gear 20 is provided on the shaft 17 which meshes with an idler 19 journaled on the frame 13, and which in turn meshes with a gear 18 secured on the cam shaft 16. The shaft 17 may be the shaft employed to carry the cams associated with the horizontal swinging and vertical elevating movements of the supporting cup 10 associated with the means for moving the supporting cup between its receiving position, shown in full line view in FIGURE 1 and a working position directly beneath the fork 12, shown in dotted view in FIGURE 3. Thus, the mechanism for moving the supe3 porting cup is timed in relation to the rotation of the cam shaft 16 in a manner presently to be described.

Designated at 21 is an arm which is pivoted to the frame 13 at 22 and which extends over the cam shaft 16 and extends forwardly a substantial distance, having secured to its outer end portion an adjustable arm member 23. Suspended from the end of the adjustable arm 23 is a depending supporting bar 24 to the lower end of which is secured a dipper element 25 which is supported substantially in vertical alignment with the extreme end portion of the extension and which is vertically movable in said extension responsive to the vertical movement of the supporting bar 24, as will be presently described. The top end of the supporting bar 24 is loosely connected to the end of the arm member 23 so that the dipper element is free to swing under the force of gravity to a vertical position when the dipper element is lifted out of the fiume extension 15, as will be presently ex plained. An operating cam 26 is secured on the shaft 16 directly beneath the arm 21, being engageable with said arm 21 to periodically elevate same and thus to cause the supporting bar 24 to be reciprocated. As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the cam 26 is of substantial length and is shaped to reciprocate the dipper element 25 through a stroke suflicient to allow the dipper element to descend a substantial depth in the extension 15, sufficient to allow an apple floating therein to enter the dipper element, and to thereafter elevate the dipper element a substantial distance above the level of the top edge of extension 15 to allow the apple to be transferred from the dipper element.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the dipper element 25 is open at its outer side, and is provided with the vertical parallel' spaced transverse walls 29, 29. Opposite the open outer side thereof, the dipper element is provided with a smoothly curved upstanding abutment member 30 whose curved top surface is spaced below the top edges of the transverse walls 29, 29, and which is provided with :1 depending portion 31 of substantial length. As shown in FIGURE 3, the upstanding curved abutment member 30 is spaced from the open end of the dipper element by a distance such that an apple engaged on the abutment, member 30 is urged outwardly towards said open end, and when the dipper element is elevated above the extension 15, the apple will tend to slide outwardly through the open end of the dipper element unless restrained.

Designated at 32 is in arm which is pivoted at 33 to the frame 13 and which extends transversely over the cam shaft 16. A cam 34 is provided on the cam shaft underlying and engaging the arm 32, the cam 34 being generally similar to the cam 26 but being spaced ahead of the cam 26 so that the arm 32 is elevated a short distance prior to the elevation of the arm 21 during the operaing cycle of cam shaft 16.

Pivotally connected to the end of the arm 32 is a depending rod 3 5 to the lower end of which is secured a depending bar 36 carrying a transfer tank 37 which is thus supported in a position transversely aligned with the dipper element 25, as shown in FIGURE 3. The tank 37 is thus supported substantially in sliding engagement with the outer end wall 38 of the fiume extension 15 and is therefore in a position to receive an apple elevated by the dipper element 25 as soon as the dipper element rises above the top edge of the transfer tank 37. The transfer tank is also in a position to receive water flowing over the top edge of wall 38, so that the overflow water from the fiume extension is conveyed into the transfer tank 37, maintaining the transfer tank filled and in a position to support an apple buoyantly therein.

As previously mentioned, the cams 26 and 34 are so related that when the cam shaft 16 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 7, the transfer tank 37 will first rise and will be elevated above the level of the top edge of outer wall 38 of fiume extension 15, followed shortly thereafter by the dipper element 25 which likewise rises above the level of the top edge of wall 38 and bears against the adjacent wall 40 of transfer tank 37 until finally the dipper element 25 rises above the top edge of the transfer tank, allowing an apple contained in the dipper element to be discharged laterally to the open side of the dipper element into the transfer tank by the action of the abutment member 30', previously mentioned. Since cam 26 elevates arm 21 through a substantial angle, the arm 24 tends to swing inwardly toward the transfer tank 37 so that dipper element 25 substantially slidably engages the wall 40 when it is lifted free of the wall 38 of fiume extension 15. Conversely, when the arm 24 descends, the angle of arm 21 with the horizontal decreases, causing the arm 24 to maintain its vertical position and hence move the dipper element 25 outwardly sufficiently to pass over the top edge of wall 38 and be received in the fiume extension 15.

Designated at 44 is a shaft which is journaled vertically in the frame 13 and which carries a horizontal bevel gear 45. Secured on the cam shaft 16 is a wheel 46 provided at a portion of its periphery with a group of bevel gear teeth 47 arranged to mesh with the teeth of the bevel gear 45 and to rotate the bevel gear 45 through one-half of a revolution each time the teeth 47 engage therewith, namely, for each complete revolution of the wheel 46. As will be apparent, the meshing engagement of the teeth 47 is synchronized with the rotation of the cams 26 and 34, since the aforesaid meshing engageF ment of bevel gear teeth 47 with the bevel gear 45 occurs once for each complete cycle of rotation of the cam shaft 16.

Pivotally connected to diametrically opposite portions of the circular body 48 on which the bevel gear 45 is integrally formed are respective transfer cup brackets 49, said brackets being of generally n'ght angled shape, as shown in FIGURE 6, and being formed with upstanding apertured lugs 50. The brackets 49 are pivoted at their intermediate portions, as shown at 51, to outwardly projecting arms 52 secured on the body 48 of the rotary transfer member comprising said body and the integral bevel gear 45. Coiled springs 53 connect the lugs to anchor lugs 54 provided on the body 48, biasing the brackets 49 toward radial positions with respect to the body 48, but allowing the brackets to rotate so that they may be moved past obstructions without damage thereto or to the transfer cups carried thereby when the body 48 is rotated.

Each bracket 49 has secured to its depending vertical portion 55 a transfer cup 56 provided with the resilient, downwardly yieldable inwardly directed bottom segment elements 57, said bottom segment elements defining a yieldable bottom wall adapted to support an apple, but being sufficiently yieldable so that the apple may be'forced downwardly therethrough, in a manner presently to be described. The inwardly directed cooperating yieldable segments 57 may comprise spring metal or the like peripherally secured to the generally circular main body portion of the cup 56.

As shown in FIGURES l and 4, the body 48 is adapted to support one of the transfer cups 56 in a position directly above the transfer tank 37 while the opposite transfer cup 56 is positioned directly above the support cup 10. The positions of the transfer cups 56 are reversed each time that the gear teeth 47 meshingly engage with the bevel gear 45, as above described, since this causes the body 48 to rotate through one-half of a revolution. Thus, such transposition of the transfer cup 56 occurs with each cycle of rotation of the cam shaft 16. However, the wheel 46- is so arranged on the cam shaft 16 that the transposition of the transfer cups 56 occurs at the time that the transfer tank 37 is located below the level of the transfer cups, namely, with the trans-fer tank 37 in the lowest position thereof shown in FIGURE 4. Therefore, when the transfer tank 37 rises by the action of the cam 34, it will receive av transfer cup- 56, which will become immersed in the water in the tank, and which will be in a position to thereafter receive an apple deposited in the tank by the dipper element 25 in the manner above described when the transfer tank 37 is subsequently lowered. The sequence of movements of the dipper element 25 and the transfer tank 37 will thus cause an apple to be transferred from the dipper element 25 to the transfer tank 37 as soon as the dipper element rises above the top edge of the transfer tank, as previously described, and as illustrated in FIGURE 8, the dipper element 25 and the transfer tank 37 then descending until they reach the positions shown in FIGURE 4, in which positions the apple previously transferred to the transfer tank will be retained in the previously submerged cup 56. When the transposition of the transfer cup 56 occurs, by the action of the gear teeth 47 and the bevel gear 45, as above described, the apple will be rotated to a position directly above the support cup 10, and the other transfer cup will be brought into position over the transfer tank 37.

Designated at 60 is an arm pivoted at 61 to the frame 13 and extending transversely beneath the cam shaft 16. Designated at 63 is a plunger member which is secured to the bottom end of a plunger rod 64 slidably engaged through a bracket bar 65 located substantially in vertical alignment with the receiving position of the supporting cup and located above the position of the transfer cup 56 when it is placed in its position above cup 10. The plunger member 63 is thus disposed in a position above an applecarried in the subjacent transfer cup 56. The plunger rod 64 extends slidably upwardly through the arm 60 and is resiliently supported thereon by a coiled spring 66 bearing between an enlarged head portion 67 provided on the top end of the rod 64 and a stationary bracket bar 63 secured to and projecting from the frame 13 and slidably receiving the plunger rod 64. The arm 60 underlies the bracket bar 68, and is normally engaged by a collar 69 secured on the plunger rod 64 to limit the upward movement of the plunger rod 64 to the normal position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 4. An operating cam 71 is secured to the cam shaft 16 immediately above the arm 61) and rotates the arm 60 downwardly each time that the cam shaft 16 rotates, the cam 71 being arranged and timed to depress the plunger member 63 immediately subsequent to the positioning of a transfer cup 56 beneath the plunger member. Thus, the plunger member 63 will act downwardly on an apple contained in the transfer cup 56 and will force the apple out through the yieldable bottom wall assembly of the transfer cup.

Designated at 75 is a further arm pivoted at 76 to frame 13 and extending transversely over the cam shaft 16, being provided with a depending follower arm portion 77 which engages the periphery of an operating cam 78 secured on the cam shaft 16. The cam 78 is arranged to cooperate with the arm 75 to elevate said arm substantially simultaneously with the downward movement of the plunger element 63. The arm 75 is connected by a rod 80 to the bracket 81 carrying the supporting cup 10, so that the supporting cup 10 is elevated into a position immediately subjacent the transfer cup 56 at the same time that the plunger member 63 is moved downwardly to force an apple downwardly through the yieldable bottom wall of the transfer cup. The cam 78 is shaped to lower the bracket assembly for the supporting cup 10 to its position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4 so that it will be operated to swing the supporting cup to its working position directly beneath the impaling fork 12, so that the apple deposited in the cup 10 will be in a position to be impaled by said fork.

In operation, the apples are conveyed from the main portion of the flume 14 to the lateral extensions in the manner previously described. When the dipper element 25 descends to its lowermost position, for example, the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4, an apple is moved laterally thereover by the action of the jet means 70, so that the apple will be retained in the dipper element when the dipper element rises. The dipper element 25 rises, and concurrently therewith the transfer tank 37 rises, the transfer tank being ahead of the dipper element so that it has the relation therewith shown in FIGURE 1 so that the apple in the dipper element slidably engages the vertical wall 40 of the transfer tank 37 when the dipper element clears the top edge of the outer wall 38 of the flume extension 15. However, the dipper element eventually rises above the top edge of the transfer tank and the apple is forced laterally into the tank by the action of the abutment member 30, as previously described. Meanwhile, the transfer cup 56 is immersed in the transfer tank beneath the apple, and when the transfer tank descends to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4, the apple is deposited in the transfer cup. The rotary transfer member 48 then is rotated through one-half of a revolution by the meshing engagement of the bevel gear teeth 47 with the bevel gear 45, causing transposition of the transfer cup 56, bringing the apple into a position above the supporting cup 10 and beneath the plunger member 63. The supporting cup 10 is then elevated and the plunger member 63 is lowered by the action of the cams 71 and 78, above described, whereby the plunger member 63 forces the apple downwardly through the yieldable bottom wall of the subjacent transfer cup 56, depositing the apple in the supporting cup 10. The supporting cup 10 then is lowered by the cam 78 to its position shown in FIGURE 4, after which the supporting cup 10 is rotated to its working position directly beneath the impaling fork 12 and the apple is impaled on the fork by the normal operation of the conventional elements associated with the paring and coring machine 11.

While a specific embodiment of an improved apple feeding mechanism for use with an apple paring and coring machine has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apple feeding and paring machine, a frame, a depending rotatable impaling fork on said frame, a supporting cup rotatably mounted on said frame and having a receiving position spaced from said fork and a working position directly beneath said fork, a flume adapted to contain a plurality of apples to be treated suspended in a body of moving water arranged beneath and spaced from said supporting cup, said flume having a lateral extension adjacent said frame, a dipper element movably suspended from said frame over said extension and being vertically movable sufliciently to receive an apple floating in said extension and to elevate said apple above same, said dipper element being open at one side, a transfer tank movably suspended from said frame adjacent said open side of the dipper element, a rotary transfer member journaled on a vertical axis on said frame, a yieldable transfer cup depending from the periphery of said transfer member, the transfer member being located so that the transfer cup may at times be received in the transfer tank and at other times be positioned over said receiving position of the supporting cup, means to rotate said transfer member, a plunger member mounted on the frame over said receiving position and being vertically reciprocable, means to elevate said dipper element and transfer tank at different times such that the dipper element reaches a point above and adjacent the top end of the transfer tank so as to discharge an apple thereinto while the transfer cup is contained in said tank and to subsequently lower said transfer tank clear of the transfer cup, and means to thereafter lower said plunger member downwardly sufficiently to disengage an apple downwardly from the transfer cup into said supporting cup.

2. In an apple feeding and paring machine, a frame, a

depending rotatable impaling fork on said frame, a supporting cup rotatably mounted on said frame and having a receiving position spaced from said fork and a working position directly beneath said fork, a flume adapted to contain a plurality of apples to be treated suspended in a body of moving Water arranged beneath and spaced from said supporting cup, said flume having a lateral extension adjacent said frame, a dipper element movably suspended from said frame over said extension, and being vertically movable sufiiciently to receive an apple floating in said extension and to elevate said apple above same, said dipper element being open at one side, a transfer tank movably suspended from said frame adjacent said open side of the dipper element, a rotary transfer member journaled on a vertical axis on said frame, a transfer cup depending from the periphery of said transfer member, said transfer cup having a yieldable bottom, the transfer member being located so that the transfer cup may at times be received in the transfer tank and at other times be positioned over said receiving position of the supporting cup, means to rotate said transfer member, a plunger member mounted on the frame over said receiving position and being vertically reciprocable, means to elevate said dipper element and transfer tank at different times such that the dipper element reaches a point above and adjacent the top end of the transfer tank so as to discharge an apple thereinto while the transfer cup is contained in said tank and to subsequently lower said transfer tank clear of the transfer cup, and means to thereafter lower said plunger member downwardly sufliciently to force an apple downwardly through said yieldable bottom into said supporting cup.

3. In an apple feeding and paring machine, a frame, a depending rotatable impaling fork on said frame, a supporting cu-p rotatably mounted on said frame and having a receiving position spaced from said fork and a working position directly beneath said fork, a flume adapted to contain a plurality of apples to be treated suspended in a body of moving water arranged beneath and spaced from said supporting cup, said flume having a lateral extension adjacent said frame, a dipper element movably suspended from said frame over said extension, and being vertically movable sufliciently to receive an apple floating in said extension and to elevate said apple above same, said dipper element being open at one side, a transfer tank movably suspended from said frame adjacent said open side of the dipper element, a rotary transfer member journaled on a vertical axis on said frame, a transfer cup depending from the periphery of said transfer member, said transfer cup having a yieldable bottom, the transfer member being located so that the transfer cup may at times be received in the transfer tank and at other times be positioned over said receiving position of the supporting cup responsive to rotation of the transfer member, a plunger member mounted on the frame over said receiving position and being vertically reciprocable, means to elevate said dipper element and transfer tank at different times such that the dipper element reaches a point above and adjacent the top end of the transfer tank 'so as to discharge an apple thereinto while the transfer cup is contained in said tank and to subsequently lower said transfer tank clear of the transfer cup, means to rotate said transfer member to move said transfer cup to a position between said plunger member and said receiving position of the supporting cup, and means to thereafter lower said plunger member downwardly sufficiently to force an apple downwardly through said yieldable bottom into said supporting cup.

4. In an apple feeding and paring machine, a frame, a depending rotatable impaling fork on said frame, a supporting cup rotatably mounted on said frame and having a receiving position spaced from said fork and a working position directly beneath said fork. a flume adapted to "contain a plurality of apples to be treated suspended in a "said "supporting cup, said flume having a lateral extension adjacent said frame, a dipper element movably suspended from said frame over said extension, and being vertically movable sufliciently to receive an apple floating in said extension and to elevate said apple above same, said dipper element being open at one side, a transfer tank movably suspended from said frame adjacent said open side of the dipper element, a rotary transfer member journaled on a vertical axis on said frame, a transfer cup depending from the periphery of said transfer member, said transfer cup having a yieldable bottom, the transfer member being located so that the transfer cup may at times be received in the transfer tank and at other times be positioned over said receiving position of the supporting cup responsive to rotation of the transfer member, a plunger member mounted on the frame over said receiving position and being vertically reciprocable, respective cam means on the frame to elevate said dipper element and transfer tank at different times such that the dipper element reaches a point above and adjacent the top end of the transfer tank so as to discharge an aple thereinto while the transfer cup is contained in said tank and to subsequently lower said transfer tank clear of the transfer cup, means to rotate said transfer member to move said transfer cup to a position between said plunger member and said receiving position of the supporting cup, and additional cam means on the frame to thereafter lower said plunger member downwardly sufiiciently to force an apple downwardly through said yieldable bottom into said supporting cup.

5. In an apple feeding and paring machine, a frame, a depending rotatable impaling fork on said frame, a supporting cup rotatably mounted on said frame and having a receiving position spaced from said fork and a working position directly beneath said fork, a flume adapted to contain a plurality of apples to be treated suspended in a body of moving water arranged beneath and spaced from said supporting cup, said flume having a lateral extension adjacent said frame, a dipper element movably suspended from said frame over said extension, said dipper element being vertically movable sufficiently to receive an apple floating in said extension and to elevate said apple above same, said dipper element being open at one side, a transfer tank movably suspended from said frame adjacent said open side of the dipper element, a rotary transfer member journaled on a vertical axis on said frame, a rotary cam shaft on the frame, a transfer cup depending from the periphery of said transfer member, said transfer cup having a yieldable bottom, the transfer member being located so that the transfer cup may at times be received in the transfer tank and at other times be positioned over said receiving position of the supporting cup responsive to rotation of the transfer member, a plunger member mounted on the frame over said receiving position and being vertically reeiprocable, cooperating cam means on the cam shaft and follower means connected to said dipper element and transfer tank constructed and arranged to elevate said dipper element and transfer tank at different times such that the dipper element reaches a point above and adjacent the top end of the transfer tank so as to discharge an apple thereinto while the transfer cup is contained in said tank and to subsequently lower said transfer tank clear of the transfer cup, means to rotate said transfer member to move said transfer cup to a position between said plunger member and said receiving position of the supporting cup, and further cam means on the cam shaft and cooperating follower means connected to said plunger member constructed and arranged to thereafter lower said plunger member downwardly sufficiently to force an apple downwardly through said yieldable bottom into said supporting cup.

6. In an apple feeding and paring machine, a frame, a depending rotatable impaling fork on said frame, a supporting cup rotatably mounted on said frame and having a receiving position spaced from said fork and a working position directly beneath said fork, a flume adapted to contain a plurality of apples to be treated suspended in *a body of moving water arranged beneath and spaced from said supporting cup, said flume having a lateral extension adjacent said frame, a dipper element movably suspended from said frame over said extension and vertically movable sufi'lciently to receive an apple floating in said extension and to elevate said apple above the same, said dipper element being open at one side, a smoothly curved up standing abutment member at the opposite side of said dipper element, a transfer tank movably suspended from said frame adjacent said open side of the dipper element, a rotary transfer member journaled on a vertical axis on said frame, a rotary cam shaft on the frame, a transfer cup depending from the periphery of said transfer member, said transfer cup having a yieldable bottom, the transfer member being located so that the transfer cup may at times be received in the transfer tank and at other times be positioned over said receiving position of the supporting cup responsive to rotation of the transfer member, a plunger member mounted on the frame over said receiving position and being vertically reciprocable, cooperating cam means on the cam shaft and follower means connected to said dipper element and transfer tank constructed and arranged to elevate said dipper element and transfer tank at different times such that the dipper element reaches a point above and adjacent the top end of the transfer tank so as to discharge an apple thereinto while the transfer cup is contained in said tank and to subsequently lower the transfer tank clear of the transfer cup, means to rotate the transfer member to move said transfer cup to a position between said plunger member and said receiving position of the supporting cup, and further cam means on the cam shaft and cooperating follower means connected to said plunger member constructed and arranged to thereafter lower said plunger member down- Wardly sufficiently to force an apple downwardly through said yieldable bottom into said supporting cup.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,388,916 Biggs Aug. 30, 1921 2,572,773 Slagle Oct. 23, 1951 Lamouria Feb. 25, 1958 

